\La*teen"\, a. (Naut.)
Of or pertaining to a peculiar rig used in the Mediterranean
and adjacent waters, esp. on the northern coast of Africa.
See below.
{Lateen sail}. [F. voile latine a sail in the shape of a
   right-angled triangle; cf. It. & Sp. vela latina; properly
   Latin sail. See {Latin}.] (Naut.) A triangular sail,
   extended by a long yard, which is slung at about one
   fourth of its length from the lower end, to a low mast,
   this end being brought down at the tack, while the other
   end is elevated at an angle or about forty-five degrees;
   -- used in small boats, feluccas, xebecs, etc., especially
   in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters. Some lateen
   sails have also a boom on the lower side.